Coffee making device



March 9, 1937.

' .F. E. WOLCOTT CQFFEE MAKING DEVICE Filed se t 30, 1935 Patented Mar.9, 1937 UNITED STATES 2,072,935 I COFFEE MAKING DEVICE Frank E. Wolcott,West Hartford, Conn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The SilexCompany, a corporation of Connecticut (1936) Application September so,1935, Serial No; 42,799

23 Claims.

My invention relates to coffee making devices.

It has among its objects to provide an im-,

proved coffee making device including a vacuum type coiiee makercomprising interconnected upper and lower bowls, and, more particularly,to provide such a device especially adapted to use on moving vehicles,such, for example, as ships, trains or the like, wherein due toirregularities invehicle movement, such, as rocking or swaying, and tothe top heavy character of such coffee makers during brewing,considerable difiiculty has heretofore been experienced in using coffeemakers of the vacuum type. A further object of my invention 'is toprovide improved means associated with such a vacuum type coffee makerand also with the heating device for the lower bowl thereof, whereby,despite irregularities in the -movement of the vehicle and consequentlyof the heating device and the cofiee maker heated thereby, the latter ismaintained in the desired relation to the heating device in such manneras, while enabling normal handling of the bowls, to eliminate thebreakage and delays heretofore experienced and resulting, for example,from the relatively high coffee maker being thrown from its heatingdevice when the vehicle rocks or sways. A still further object of myinvention is to provide improved holding means adapted to be veryreadily and quickly applied to upper bowl of a coffee maker-when on theheating device and also to be readily and quickly moved relative to thecoffee maker in order to permit removal of the upper bowl therefrom orthe bod- 5 ily removal of the complete coffee maker from f the heatingdevice whenever desired. Further objects of my .invention are to providean improved coffee maker device having such means of an improvedconstruction adapted to coopersuch a vacuum coifee maker' and disposedand arranged relative thereto and. carried on the heat- .ing device inan improved manner, while also cooperating with other lower bowlpositioning 45 means in an improved manner. vThese and other objects andadvantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter morefully ap-,

pear.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown for 50 purposes of illustrationtwo embodiments which this device, a coffee makerbeing indicated in"dotted lines at the left thereof in the same position shown in Figure 1,the left-hand holding means being shown in operative position and theright-hand positioning means being shown in a depending or inoperativeposition;

Fig. 3 is a detail rearview showing the connection -of the positioningmeans to the heating device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view online 4-4 of Figure 1,showing the pivotal mounting for the swinging upper bowl holding bail ormember;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on line 5 -5 tion thereon a vacuumtype coifee maker, generally indicated at 2, comprising a lower bowl 3and an upper bowl 4 connected by a usual stem and seal. and having ahandle i disposed aroundthe neck of the bowl 3, while improved means,hereinafter described, are provided on the heating device I andcooperate with the coffee maker 2 to hold the same in the desiredposition on the heating device, despite rocking or swaying thereof.

In this illustrative construction, it will be noted that the heatingdevice I comprises a relatively highheater carrying portion 6. carryingsuitable heating means, such for example, as a heating means, generallyindicated at I, and adapted to heat the lower bowl 3 of the coffee maker2 seated on the top of the member 6. While other types of heating meansmay be used,

, such for example as'a gas heater, I have herein '40 ate in a newmanner with the upper bowl of illustratedthe same as 'of theelectrically heated type adapted to be supplied with current fromconductors 8 and controlled by a switch 9. Fur ther, it will be notedthat the'portion 6 is provided with an upstanding flange or rim I0adapted to receive and position against relative lateral movement thegenerally similarly shaped, but

smaller, bottom portion of the lower bowl 3. Moreover, it will be notedthat herein the heating device I is provided with a portion II,generally corresponding to the portion 6 but lower than the. latter andlikewise carrying a heating element I2 and having afiange or rim I3corre-'.

sponding to the flange or rim II) heretofore described. Thus, it will benoted that, with the heating element 1 adapted to produce a high heatsuitable for the coflee' brewingoperation and the heating element l2adapted to produce a substantially lower heat,,it is possible to makethe coflee over the heating element and, after 8 the completion of thecoffee making operation, remove the upper bowl 4 from the bowl 3 andthereafter keep the coflee in the lower or dispensingbowl 3 at thedesired temperature by placing the latter bowl upon the heating elementI2, which forms a warming element. Further it will be noted that hereinthe construction is such that a plurality of heating elements 1 andflanges in are provided on andspaced along the top of the portion 8, andit will be understood that a corresponding number of warming elements l2and flanges l3 are provided on the lower portion H. e I

Operatively associated with the portion 8 of the heating device I andcooperating with the upper bowls 4 of the coffee makers 2 thereon duringthe coflee brewing operations, are improved positioning means for thecoflee maker. Herein, each of these means includes a projection orbracket |4 projecting 'rearwardly from the portion 8 adjacent the topthereof and in herein in the form of a casting, to the back of theportion 5. Further, it will be noted that each of the brackets; I4 isherein providedwith a short upward extension l5 of reduced cross sectionthereon, and that a shoulder portion 18 is provided on each bracketaround the base of its projection I5. Moreover, a tubular member or rodI1 is herein seated on this shoulder portion [8, with the projection l5extending up into this tubular member, while the latter is also suitably4 fixed to the extension l5 as by a screw l8. This member I! hereinextends upward above bracket i4 to a point adjacent the top of the upperbowl 4 and herein is also tubular throughout its length and receiveswithin its upper. end a reduced portion I9 on a swivel carrying member20.

This swivel carrying member 20 carries improved means cooperating withthe upper bowl 4 in positioning the coffee maker 2-. Herein, this member28 is fixed to the upper end of the memher II in any suitable manner, asfor example, by providinga driving fit between the same and the memberi'l, while a shouldered portion 2| is provided on the member 28 andadapted to rest on the upper end of the tubular member I1. As shown, themember 28 is also transversely bored as shown at 22, and herein alsoprovided with lateral extensions 23 and an improved ball or,

holding meinber, generally indicated at 24, is pivotally mounted in thebore 22 for swinging movement in uprightplanes. As shown, this ball 24'comprises a single solid rod or ball member, having laterally extendingend portions 25 extending into the opposite ends of the bore 22 and theball is of such spring construction and conformation as normally tocause these portions 25 to assume the position indicated in Figure 4,with the extremities thereof adjacent and on the opposite sides of a pin26, extending downward through the top of the member 20 into the bore22. Moreover, it will be noted that herein these transverse portions 25on the bail are carried on parallel portions 21 extending longitudinallyof the bail 24, and that the bail body proper 28, is substantiallycircular in form and connects the front ends of these portions 21. Itwill also be noted that a short bowl engaging and gripping cushion 28-,herein a short tubular section of rubber or the like, is carriedcentrally on the front of the bail body 28 and acts as a-connection andholding means adapted to engage the top of the bowl 4 from above, hereinon a curved surface 30 just below the removable top 3| carried on thatbowl, while the body portion 28 of the'bail surrounds the reduced upperend 32 of the bowl on which the top or cover 3| is carried.

As a result of this construction, it is made possible for the ball, whennot in use, to occupy the depending position shown at the right inFigure 2. Further, whenever it is desired to place a coffee maker 2 on aheating element 1, it is possible to swing up the ball 28 and, after thecoffee maker has been placed on the stove device with its lower bowlwithin the desired rim or flange l0 thereon, lower the bail into theposition shown in Figure 1, wherein the portion 28 surrounds the reducedupper end 32 of the upper bowl 4 and the cushion grip 29 on the bailbody 28 engages the curved portion 38 of the bowl 4. Thus, with theweight of the bail pressing the gripping member 29 against the glass ofthe bowl maker on the top of the relatively high stove carrying portion8 or-the weight of the water and,

coifee in the top bowl 4 during brewing. Moreover, it will be evidentthat when the coilee mak ing operation has heen'completed, i. e. whenthe brewed coflee in the upper bowl 4 has been returned therefrom to thelower or dispensing bowl 3, the upper bowl with the coffee groundstherein may be removed in the usual manner after simply raising orthrowing back the ball 24. Note here also that the bail 24 may be swungcompletely over backward until its cushion 29 engages the back of theupright ll. Then, with the upper bowl 4 removed, the lower or dispensingbowl 3 may, if desired, be used to dispense the brewed coffee or placedon one of the warming elements l2 within the flange l8 above the latterand kept hot ready for dispensing, while the coffee making operationisrepeated in another cofiee maker on the vacated heating element 1.

In Figure 6, I have illustrated a modified form of my construction whichmay be used in connection with a stove device I, corresponding ingeneral to the lower or warming portion of the stove I heretoforedescribed. It -will be understood, however, that the same includes oneormore heating elements side by side, and that one or more of the same maycorrespond to the coffee making heating element 'l with the remaindercorresponding to the warming element i 2. In this construction, it willbe noted that my improved positioning means are of the same constructionheretofore described and the same are usable in the same manner, so thata further description thereof in this connection is believed to beunnecessary.

-With my improved construction, it is made possible even under the mostadverse conditions, to eliminate altogether the breakage and delaysincident to the throwing or shucking off of the ooifee makers,heretofore incident to efforts to use such vacuum coflee makers ontrains, ships, or the like, these ooflee makers being especially 9claims.

. i 2,072,9ss

- susceptibleto such damage during brewing or infusion when 'a.substantial part, or all, of the water is in the upper bowl while thelower bowl is partially or completely emptied. Moreover, it

will be noted that the construtcion is such as to permit the cofieemaker to'begvery readily and securely held in operative position on thestove or heating element, the bail being readily swung into or out ofholding position. When the bail lO-is in holding position, it will alsobe noted that,

due to the mounting thereof for vertical swinging movement, the weightof the bail, which prei'- erably is made of a solid spring rod bentintothe shape illustrated, is such as to make the bail normally tend toremain in close contact withthe curved, upper surface of the bowl withthe rubber or cushioning means pressed into gripping engagement with theglass. Thus all difiiculty with chattering in holding position iseliminated, while 2 breakage due tocareless dropping oi the bail on Ythe top of the bowl 4 is also minimized by the member 29. Further, itwill beevident that the upper bowl.

upper bowl, and means for positioning said coffee I maker on said baseincluding a releasable holding member operating on the upper end or said2. In a coil'ee making device, a base, a vacuum 5 type coilee makerthereon including an upper bowl, and means for positioning said coffeemaker on said base including a swinging bowl engaging the bail, keepsthe latter from becoming, too hot to handle. Attention is furtherdirected to the connections to the difierent bowls thereof being.

eliminated. When it is desired to remove the upper bowl, it will also benoted that the'same is removable alter a mere swinging movement 40 ofthe-member 24, and that a like swinging movement or this single memberalso eleases the entire eofiee maker for removal, i desired. Thus, it ispossible for the coffee maker to be very quickly andconveniently securedin position on the heating element, or released by simply swinging thesingle member 24 reversely about, its pivot while the coflee make? bowlsremain operatively connected. When it is desired ior any reason'toremove the ball, as i'or.

' 0 eia'mple to replaceanew'rubber'fl thereon, it

will also be evident that one or both of the ends" may be readily sprungout of its bearing in the member 20. The latter and the standard l-lalso being separable from the bracket it, it will be evident that thestructure is such as to permit compact shipping with the standardsremoved,

while permitting ready assembly when desired.

Attentionis further directed to the inexpensive H character or thestructure required to insure the safety of the come makers. These andother advantages or my improvements will, however, be

. clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

* While I have in this application specifically described two formswhich-my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood thatthese forms of the same are used for purposesoi illustration and thatthe invention may be modified and embodiedin other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the appended What I claim asnew and desire to secure ,by Letters Patent is:

1. In a coflee making device. a base, a vacuum type coffee maker thereonincluding a lower bowl 7-5 seated on said base and an operativelyconnected bowl positioning means, a cofiee maker compris- 40 verticallymovable holding member carried on said base and operating on andengaging said a 10 upper bowl. Y

3. In a coffee making device,-a base, a cofiee maker comprising 0eratively connected lower and upper bowls and aving said lower bowlseated on said base, and means on said base coopl5 erating with bothsaid bowls and engaging opposite ,extremities of said coflee maker forposition ing and releasing said cofleemaker relative to said base whilesaid bowls remain operatively connected.

4. In a coflee making device, a, base, a coflee maker comprisingoperatively connected lower and upper bowls and having said lowerbowlseated on said base, and means cooperating with both said bowls forpositioning and releasing said 25 coflee 'maker while said;bowls remainoperatively I 1 connected having a single movable holding and ing withsaid seat and said upper bowl for posi-- tioning and'releasing saidcoflee maker relative to said heating means while said bowlsremainoperatively connected.

6.- In? a coffee making device, a base having ing operatively connectedlower and upper bowls and havin its lower bowl seated on and posi-.

- ticned by as d means, and cooperating positioning means cooperatingwith said upper bowl for posimaker seated thereon and comprisingoperatively ,60

connected lower an upper bowls, and means co-- operating with sai upperbowl for positioning said coilee maker on said base comprising a'stationary standard onsaid base and a releasable upper bowlsholdingbail pivotally mounted on said 55 standard and movable about its pivot.to release said bowl.

8. In a coffee making device having-lower bowl heating means andstationary means for positioning the lower end 01' a bowl thereon, avacuum 60 type coflee maker comprising a lower'bowl seated on saidheating means and having its lowerend engaged and positionedbysaid/positioning means and an operatively connected upper bowl, andcooperating positioning means cooperating with said upper bowl inpositioning said coffee maker and movableto release the latter whilesaid bowls remain operatively connected. v i 9. In a coflee makingdevice having lower bowl I heating means andmeans-tor positioning a bowlthereorna vacuum type coflee'maker comprising a lower bowl seated onsaid heating means and positioned by said positioning means and anoperatively connected upper bowl, and cooperatper bowl in positioningsaid coffee maker, said first and second mentioned positioning meansengaging the remote ends of said bowls; 7 10. In a coffee making devicehaving lower bowl heating means and means for positioning a bowlthereon, a vacuum type coffee maker comprising a lower bowl seated onsaid heating means and having its lower end engaged and positioned by-10 said positioning means and an operatively conbowl supporting meansthereon, and cofiee maker positioning means carried on said baseincluding a vertically swinging pivoted bowl holding member disposablein operative holding relation with the upper bowl of a vacuum typecoffee maker seated on said bowl supporting means.

- 13. In a coffee making device, a base having bowl supporting meansthereon, and coffee maker positioning means carried on said baseincluding a standard on said bowl supporting means and an upper bowlholding bail pivoted on the upper end of said standard and movable aboutits pivot into and out'of holding position.

14. In a coffee making device, a base having bowl supporting meansthereon, coffee maker positioning means carried on said base including astandard on said bowl supporting means, an upper bowl holding memberpivoted on the upper end of said standard and movable about its --pivotinto and out of holding position, and bowl gripping means on said memberformingcushioning means and engageable with said standard in inoperativeposition.

15. In a coffee making device, a base having bowl supporting meansthereon, and a support on said base extending substantiallyto'the top ofthe upper bowl of a vacuum type coffee maker seated on said support, anda swinging upper bowl holding member pivoted on a transverse axis onsaid support and having meansengageable with an upper portion of theupper bowl of such a coffee maker to restrain the same from lateralmovement relative to said support.

1'7..In a coffee making device, a base havingbowl supporting meansthereon, and a support on 70 said base extending substantially to thetop of the upper bowl of a vacuum type coffee maker 16. In a coffeemaking device, a base having.

ing positioning means cooperating with said up- .seated on said support,and a swinging member pivoted on a transverse axis on said support andhaving means engageable with an upper portion of the upper bowl of sucha coffee maker'to restrain the same from lateral movement relative tosaid support, said member comprising a bail having an opening adapted toreceive the mouth of said upper bowl.

18. In a coffee making device, a base having bowl supporting meansthereon, and a support on said base extending substantially to the topof the upper bowl of a vacuum type coffee maker seated on said support,and a swinging member pivoted on a transverse axis on said support andhaving means engageable with an upper portion of the upper bowl of sucha coffee maker to restrain the same from lateral movement relative to"said support, said base havinglower bowl positioning means thereon anda rearwardly extending projection below the same, and said supportcomprising a standard having its lower end carried by said projection.

19. ,In a coffee making device, a base having bowl supporting meansthereon, and coffee maker positioning means carried on said baseincluding a pivoted vertically movable bowl holding bail disposable overthe upper end of the upper bowl of a vacuum type coffee maker seated onsaid bowl supporting means, and bowl gripping and ball cushioning meanson said ball.

20. In a coffee making device, a base having lower bowl positioningmeans thereon, and cooperating coffee maker positioning means includinga releasable bowl holding member engageable with the upper bowl of avacuum type coffee maker seated on said bowl positioning means andmovable relative to said upper bowl to release the latter. I i

21. In a coffee making; device, a base having lower bowl positioningmeans thereon, and coop-- erating coffee maker positioning meansincluding a releasable bowl holding member engageable with the upperbowl of a vacuum type coffee maker seated on said bowl positioningmeans, said bowl holding member being pivotally supported above saidbase and being receivable over the upper end of such an upper bowl.

22. In a coffee making device, a base having lower bowl positioningmeans thereon, and cooperating coffee maker positioning means includinga pivoted vertically movable bowl holding member cooperating with theupper bowl of a vacuum type coffee maker seated on said bowlpositioning'means, and cushioning means carried on said bowl holdingmember engageable with said upper bowl when said holding member is movedto cooperate with said bowl.

23. In a coffee making device, a base having lower bowl positioningmeans thereon, and cooperating coffee maker positioning means includinga pivoted bowl holding member engageable with the upper bowl of a vacuumtype coffee maker seated on said bowl positioning means, and a standardon said base having said pivo' ed member pivoted to the upper endthereof, said bowl holding member being supported on the upper end ofsaid upper bowl in operative position and being disposed in dependingposition below its pivot when inoperative.

' FRANK E. WOLCOTT.

